Mapping STOU-EPT Scores with the CEFR Framework: A Standard Alignment Approach

This study examined the alignment of the Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University English Proficiency Test (STOU-EPT) with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) using Webb’s alignment method, and mapped STOU-EPT scores to CEFR levels with a modified Angoff method. Ten panelists evaluated alignment, ten panelists participated in standard setting, and 1,272 STOU-EPT test-takers were used. The STOU-EPT aligned with the CEFR as follows. Categorical Occurrence: Items across listening, structure, and reading were aligned to the A2–B2. Listening was more evenly distributed across levels, more structure items were included in A2–B1, and more reading items were included in B1–B2. All three sections met Webb’s minimum requirement, with high rater agreement on listening and moderate agreement on structure and reading. Depth of Knowledge (DOK): Cognitive demand on listening and structure aligned with CEFR expectations at B1 and B2 but did not at A2. Reading showed appropriate cognitive demand across all targeted levels. Balance of Representation: The distribution of items across CEFR levels was balanced on listening, structure, and reading. CEFR-mapped scores were identified for each skill and overall performance, categorizing total scores as A2 (1–55 items), B1 (56–76), and B2 (77–100).